Adventure Guides

Adventure Guides

The Adventure Guides program provides fathers and their children the opportunity to spend valuable time together. As part of a larger group, both father and child create unforgettable memories playing games, spending the weekend at an overnight camp, family adventures, and much more. Register today through your local YMCA branch.

History

Adventure Guides began as the Y-Indian Guide program for fathers and sons in 1926. The program’s purpose was to support the father’s lead role in the family as a teacher, counselor, and friend to his son.

For 89 years, the Indian Guides program was the cornerstone for family programs in YMCAs across the country. Because of the changing world today, the YMCA adapted to the cultural sensitivity of Native Americans. Being a nationally recognized organization with the reputation of being respectful, honest and responsible prompted YMCA staff and volunteers to adapt the parent child program to be more susceptible to the changing world. Thus, the name Adventure Guides replaced the original, but the mission has remained the same.